John 10:6

KJV

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

KJV (with Strong's)

This {G5026} parable {G3942} spake {G2036} Jesus {G2424} unto them {G846}: but {G1161} they {G1565} understood {G1097} not {G3756} what things {G5101} they were {G2258} which {G3739} he spake {G2980} unto them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua used this indirect manner of speaking with them, but they didn’t understand what he was talking to them about.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them.

American Standard Version

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 10:6 serves as a crucial transitional verse, concluding Jesus' initial discourse on the good shepherd and the sheep by highlighting the profound spiritual incomprehension of His audience. Despite Jesus having just spoken profound truths about His identity and relationship with His followers through a vivid illustration, His listeners, primarily the Pharisees, failed to grasp the deeper spiritual meaning of His words, underscoring their spiritual blindness and resistance to divine revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' intricate illustration of the sheepfold, the shepherd, and the sheep, beginning in [John 10:1](/john/10-1 "John 10:1 - The Parable of the Sheepfold"). In this preceding passage, Jesus describes the true shepherd entering the sheepfold by the door, calling his own sheep by name, and leading them out to pasture. He contrasts this with thieves and robbers who attempt to enter by other means. The entire discourse, from [John 10:1-5](/john/10-1-5 "John 10:1-5 - Jesus' Parable of the Shepherd and Sheep"), is presented as a "parable" or "figure of speech" (Greek: _paroimía_). John 10:6 acts as an interpretive pause, revealing the audience's failure to understand, which then prompts Jesus to elaborate further on His identity as the "door" and the "good shepherd" in the subsequent verses, starting with [John 10:7](/john/10-7 "John 10:7 - Jesus, the Door of the Sheep").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience "unto them" (G846) in this verse primarily refers to the Pharisees and Jewish leaders who had been present and engaged in hostile questioning of Jesus since the healing of the man born blind in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Healing of the Man Born Blind"). Their spiritual authority was deeply intertwined with their interpretation of the Law and their role as guardians of Israel. Jesus' claims, particularly His assertion of being the "door" and the "good shepherd," directly challenged their perceived authority and their understanding of who truly leads God's people. The imagery of sheep and shepherds was deeply resonant in ancient Israel, rooted in Old Testament prophecies where God Himself is depicted as the Shepherd of His people ([Psalm 23](/psalms/23 "Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd"); [Ezekiel 34](/ekiel/34 "Ezekiel 34 - Prophecy Against the Shepherds of Israel")). For Jesus to claim this role was a direct assertion of divine authority and messianic identity, which the Jewish leaders, due to their spiritual hardening, could not accept.
* **Key Themes:** John 10:6 powerfully underscores the theme of **spiritual blindness and incomprehension**. Despite Jesus speaking plainly through a relevant metaphor, His listeners' hearts were hardened, preventing them from grasping the profound truth about His identity as the true Shepherd of Israel. This contrasts sharply with the physically blind man in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - The Healing of the Man Born Blind"), who, upon receiving physical sight, also gained spiritual insight, recognizing Jesus as the Son of God ([John 9:35-38](/john/9-35-38 "John 9:35-38 - The Blind Man's Confession of Faith")). The verse also highlights the **nature of Jesus' teaching**, particularly His use of enigmatic sayings ( _paroimía_ ) that served to both reveal truth to the receptive and conceal it from the spiritually resistant, thus separating those who truly sought God from those who merely sought to trap Jesus. This dynamic is a recurring theme throughout John's Gospel, where Jesus' words often divide His audience ([John 7:43](/john/7-43 "John 7:43 - Division Among the People"); [John 9:16](/john/9-16 "John 9:16 - Division Among the Pharisees")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **parable (Greek, _paroimía'_):** (G3942) From a compound of _pará_ (beside) and perhaps a derivative of _oíomai_ (to suppose); apparently a state alongside of supposition, i.e., (concretely) an adage; specially, an enigmatical or fictitious illustration. This term, distinct from the more common _parabolē_ (παραβολή) used in the Synoptic Gospels, suggests a proverb, a dark saying, or a figure of speech that is inherently obscure or difficult to understand without further explanation. Its use here emphasizes the veiled nature of Jesus' teaching, requiring spiritual insight beyond mere intellectual comprehension.
* **understood (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** (G1097) A prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand. The use of _ginōskō_ signifies a deep, experiential knowledge, not just intellectual assent. The audience's failure to "understand" indicates a lack of spiritual discernment and a refusal to truly grasp the implications of Jesus' identity and claims.
* **spake (Greek, _laléō'_):** (G2980) A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. This word emphasizes the act of vocal utterance. Jesus clearly articulated His message, but the problem lay not in His delivery, but in the spiritual receptivity of His hearers. They heard the words, but failed to comprehend the spiritual reality behind them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This parable spake Jesus unto them":** This clause directly connects the verse to the preceding discourse ([John 10:1-5](/john/10-1-5 "John 10:1-5 - Jesus' Parable of the Shepherd and Sheep")), identifying it as the subject of the audience's misunderstanding. The term "parable" ( _paroimía_ ) sets the stage for a teaching that is not immediately obvious in its meaning. Jesus, as the divine revealer, presents truth in a way that requires spiritual engagement.
* **"but they understood not":** This is the central declaration of the verse, highlighting the profound spiritual inability of Jesus' audience, particularly the Pharisees, to grasp the significance of His words. The conjunction "but" (G1161, _dé_) introduces a sharp contrast between Jesus' clear articulation and their utter lack of comprehension. Their failure to "understand" ( _ginōskō_ ) indicates not just a lack of intellectual grasp, but a deeper spiritual dullness and an unwillingness to accept the spiritual truths Jesus was conveying about Himself.
* **"what things they were which he spake unto them":** This concluding phrase specifies the object of their incomprehension: the very essence and implications of Jesus' discourse. They heard the words, the imagery of sheep and shepherd, but they did not perceive the profound claims Jesus was making about His own divine identity, His unique relationship with His followers, and His saving mission. This lack of understanding reveals a spiritual veil over their hearts, preventing them from seeing the truth of who Jesus is.

#### Literary Devices
John 10:6 employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Irony**, as Jesus, the embodiment of truth and light, speaks plainly, yet His listeners, who consider themselves spiritually enlightened, remain in profound darkness regarding His message. This creates a stark contrast between divine revelation and human spiritual blindness. The use of **Enigma** is also evident through the term _paroimía_ (translated "parable"), which implies a saying that is obscure or requires interpretation, highlighting that Jesus' teaching often functioned as a test of spiritual receptivity. For those with receptive hearts, it revealed truth; for the hardened, it remained a mystery. Furthermore, the verse serves as a **Transitional Statement**, signaling the end of one phase of Jesus' teaching and setting the stage for His subsequent, more explicit declarations about Himself as the Good Shepherd and the Door, prompted precisely by their lack of comprehension.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 10:6 profoundly underscores the theological truth that spiritual understanding is not merely an intellectual exercise but a gift of divine revelation, requiring a receptive heart. The inability of Jesus' audience to comprehend His words about the shepherd and the sheep reveals a deeper spiritual malady – a resistance to the truth about His identity and mission. This highlights the necessity of the Holy Spirit's work in illuminating Scripture and the human heart, without which even the clearest divine communication remains veiled. It emphasizes that true knowledge of God and His Christ is contingent upon a willingness to believe and submit, rather than simply hearing words.

* [Matthew 13:10-15](/matthew/13-10-15 "Matthew 13:10-15 - Why Jesus Spoke in Parables")
* [1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14 - The Natural Man Cannot Understand Spiritual Things")
* [Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Understanding")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 10:6 serves as a poignant reminder that merely hearing the words of God is insufficient for true spiritual understanding. Our hearts must be open and receptive to the Holy Spirit's illumination. Just as Jesus' original audience, despite their religious fervor, missed the profound implications of His identity as the Good Shepherd, we too can approach Scripture with intellectual curiosity but without genuine spiritual engagement, thus failing to grasp its life-transforming truths. This verse calls us to cultivate humility, to pray for discernment, and to actively seek the Spirit's guidance as we engage with God's Word, allowing it to penetrate beyond our intellect into the depths of our being. It challenges us to ask: Am I truly understanding what God is speaking, or am I, like those in John 10:6, missing the very essence of His message?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually blind or resistant to God's truth, even when it is clearly presented?**
* **How can I cultivate a more receptive heart and mind to truly "understand" ( _ginōskō_ ) God's Word, rather than just intellectually apprehending it?**
* **What practical steps can I take to deepen my spiritual discernment and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture for me?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the Greek word _paroimía_ (parable) in John 10:6, and how does it differ from _parabolē_?**

Answer: The Greek word _paroimía_ (G3942), translated "parable" in the KJV, is distinct from _parabolē_ (παραβολή), which is more commonly used in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) to describe narrative comparisons or earthly stories with heavenly meanings. _Paroimía_ carries the connotation of a proverb, an enigmatic saying, a dark saying, or a figure of speech that is often obscure or difficult to understand without further explanation. John's choice of _paroimía_ emphasizes that Jesus' preceding discourse ([John 10:1-5](/john/10-1-5 "John 10:1-5 - The Parable of the Sheepfold")) was not a simple story but a profound, veiled truth about His divine nature and function. This linguistic choice directly explains why the listeners "understood not" (G1097) – the message required spiritual discernment beyond surface-level comprehension, serving to reveal truth to the receptive and conceal it from the spiritually hardened.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 10:6, by highlighting the spiritual incomprehension of Jesus' audience, powerfully points to the necessity of Christ Himself as the ultimate revealer of truth. The inability of the Pharisees to understand Jesus' "parable" ( _paroimía_ ) about the shepherd and the sheep is a microcosm of humanity's broader spiritual blindness apart from Christ. Just as the physically blind man in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - The Healing of the Man Born Blind") could not see until Jesus healed him, so too can no one truly understand the things of God unless Christ opens their eyes and hearts. Jesus later declares, "[I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")" and "[No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him](/john/6-44 "John 6:44 - No One Can Come Unless Drawn by the Father")". The spiritual understanding that was lacking in John 10:6 is precisely what Jesus came to provide through His life, death, and resurrection, culminating in the sending of the Holy Spirit, who "[will guide you into all truth](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Guides")" and enable believers to truly "know" ([ginōskō](/john/10-6 "John 10:6 - Understanding")) the voice of the Good Shepherd. Thus, the verse implicitly underscores that Christ is not merely the speaker of truth, but the very key to unlocking spiritual understanding and receiving divine revelation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 56:11

Yea, [they are] greedy dogs [which] can never have enough, and they [are] shepherds [that] cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

Proverbs 28:5

¶ Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all [things].

Psalms 82:5

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

Isaiah 6:9

¶ And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Isaiah 6:10

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

John 16:25

These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

Psalms 106:7

Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked [him] at the sea, [even] at the Red sea.